UNICEF’s Operations Centre supports this mandate by providing 24/7 real-time global situational awareness and crisis communication, enabling risk-informed decision-making across the organization. By maintaining a continuous picture of emerging and evolving situations, OPSCEN enables UNICEF’s efforts to support children and families and serves as a vital communication bridge between Headquarters and field offices. This role is for professionals who are comfortable operating at the centre of a global organization. As an OPSCEN Associate, you will serve as a first point of contact for UNICEF personnel in the field and contribute to the team’s shared responsibility for maintaining situational awareness by ensuring the availability of real time data and reporting, in support of timely and coordinated action. Following its relocation from New York to Rome, OPSCEN is entering an exciting new phase, with a clear vision to strengthen its role as UNICEF’s global emergency operations and crisis communication service. This includes expanding and refining its suite of products and services, with a strong emphasis on innovation, application of technology, adaptability, and creative approaches to how information is captured, analyzed, presented, and shared.The work is delivered through a rotational shift system grounded in established operational best practices,ensuring continuity, predictable scheduling, and formal compensatory arrangements. The environment values professionalism, reliability, and mutual accountability; and those selected will undertake a structuredonboarding and training period designed to ensure a clear understanding of OPSCEN’s internal guidelines,processes, tools, and expectations.

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job - it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to a Voice

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UNICEF’s Operations Centre supports this mandate by providing 24/7 real-time global situational awareness and crisis communication, enabling risk-informed decision-making across the organization. By maintaining a continuous picture of emerging and evolving situations, OPSCEN enables UNICEF’s efforts to support children and families and serves as a vital communication bridge between Headquarters and field offices.

This role is for professionals who are comfortable operating at the centre of a global organization. As an OPSCEN Associate, you will serve as a first point of contact for UNICEF personnel in the field and contribute to the team’s shared responsibility for maintaining situational awareness by ensuring the availability of real time data and reporting, in support of timely and coordinated action.

Following its relocation from New York to Rome, OPSCEN is entering an exciting new phase, with a clear vision to strengthen its role as UNICEF’s global emergency operations and crisis communication service. The work is delivered through a rotational shift system, ensuring continuity, predictable scheduling, and formal compensatory arrangements. The environment values professionalism, reliability, and mutual accountability; and those selected will undertake a structured onboarding and training period designed to ensure a clear understanding of OPSCEN’s internal guidelines, processes, tools, and expectations before independently assuming shift responsibilities.

This is a highly client-facing role that requires strong interpersonal skills, sound judgement, and discretion. Much of the work involves handling sensitive information and engaging professionally with senior management and emergency and security personnel. The role is ideal for professionals who are strongly committed to UNICEF’s mission and values and who take pride in contributing to a trusted global service that supports UNICEF offices and personnel during emergency and crisis situations.

The Programme Associate (Emergency Operations Center) position is based in the UNICEF Operations Center (OPSCEN). OPSCEN falls under the Office of Security Coordination (OSC), which is based at New York Headquarters, while it is physically located in Istanbul and operates as part of the Field Support Team within the Operational Field Support Unit of the Office of Emergency Programmes (EMOPS). The Programme Associate reports directly to the Emergency Officer P2 and receives secondary supervisory support from the OPSCEN Manager (Emergency Specialist) P3.

EMOPS provides strategic and coordinated support to Country Offices preparing for and responding to humanitarian crises, in line with UNICEF’s Strategic Plan and the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action (CCCs). EMOPS leads the organization’s efforts to ensure that UNICEF’s role in emergencies (whether complex, protracted, or sudden -onset) is clearly defined, that the organization is equipped to fulfil that role, and that all levels of UNICEF are prepared to deliver on its humanitarian mandate.

Within this framework, the Office of Security Coordination (OSC) supports UNICEF’s ability to operate in all environments by enabling security risk-informed decision-making for programme delivery. OSC also engages with the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) to help shape and implement policies that align with UNICEF’s unique operational requirements and commitment to reach children in need.

Since its establishment in January 1996, OPSCEN has served as a core enabler of EMOPS’ mission by providing 24/7 global information and communication services, beginning with its support to the Kosovo crisis in 1999. Its primary mission is to support UNICEF in delivering on its Core Commitments for Children by offering real-time services that enhance global situational awareness, facilitate the sharing of emergency and security-related information, support rapid crisis communications, and serve as the first point of contact during critical incidents.

To help fulfil this role, OSC relies on OPSCEN to monitor security and humanitarian developments in real time, issue alerts, provide support, and act as UNICEF’s Crisis Coordination Center in the event of a critical emergency. OPSCEN currently comprises a team of ten, including the Manager (Emergency Specialist), Emergency Officer P2, Information Management Officer, and seven Programme Associate (Emergency Operations Center), who operate on a rotating basis to ensure continuous global coverage.

Purpose of the Job:

The Programme Associate (Emergency Operations Center) provides real-time support to UNICEF staff across the globe by monitoring emergency-related developments, identifying and communicating current and emerging trends through real-time information products, and producing information products that integrate text and data visualizations. To ensure uninterrupted 24/7 coverage, the Programme Associate (Emergency Operations Center) is required to work on a rotating shift schedule as well as weekends and UN-observed holidays. Internal compensatory mechanisms are in place to support staff working these shifts.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

1. Deliver quality and timely 24/7 emergency information and communication services to UNICEF offices and personnel globally:
a. Monitor global media, emergency and security platforms, as well as alert systems to detect and assess events with potential humanitarian or security implications for UNICEF operations and personnel.
b. Issue timely and accurate real-time information products and updates (e.g. alerts, media and situation briefs, etc.) on unfolding or critical incidents/events to relevant stakeholders at UNICEF country, regional, and HQ levels.
c. Produce and disseminate regular media monitoring products, emergency briefs, and data visualization products (e.g. maps, infographics).
d. Support the Information Management Officer in ensuring effective knowledge management, dissemination, and archiving of emergency and security information and data -e.g. UNICEF Humanitarian Situation Reports (SitReps), including uploads to UNICEF’s public website through the Drupal platform and archiving them in SharePoint.

2. Contribute to the optimization of OPSCEN’s crisis communication and emergency coordination services:
a. Provide immediate, 24/7 emergency assistance to UNICEF offices and personnel globally, via phone, email and other communication methods, including referral to appropriate focal points for further support and ensuring timely follow up.
b. Following a critical emergency or security event, coordinate with field-based security professionals or focal points to verify the safety of UNICEF staff and dependents, ensuring appropriate follow-up by relevant teams.
c. Coordinate emergency management team meetings by scheduling sessions, sending invitations and agendas, distributing supporting materials, and facilitating videoconferences in coordination with IT. Upon activation by the UNICEF Crisis Management Team, implement business continuity procedures to ensure the uninterrupted functioning of OPSCEN. This includes issuing timely crisis communications and leadership notifications, as well as activating the Emergency Notification System (ENS) to keep personnel informed.

3. Support the quality and continuity of OPSCEN’s internal daily operations:
a. Maintain and update internal databases and emergency mailing/distribution lists, in coordination with the Information Management Officer.
b. Assist OPSCEN leadership and team members in developing and implementing the quarterly Emergency Watch Associate rotational shift schedule to ensure uninterrupted 24/7 coverage and services.
c. Support the OPSCEN management team in the onboarding and training of new staff, consultants, or volunteers on the Watch functions, as needed.
d. Contribute to strengthening internal operational efficiency by participating in team knowledge-sharing activities, including the documentation of operational best practices and lessons learned.
e. Support the OPSCEN management in briefings by joining presentations and providing contextual input on OPSCEN’s role, functions and services to internal and external stakeholders, as required.

4. Demonstrate client service orientation and professional communication skills:
a) Demonstrate strong client service orientation and professional communication skills, recognizing OPSCEN’s role as a central organizational focal point.
b) Engage effectively with diverse stakeholders across headquarters, regional, and country offices, including senior leadership, to ensure clear, responsive, and tailored information delivery.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Download File Classified Job Descriptions - Programme Associate (Emergency Operations.._ ROME (1).pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

  • Education: Completion of Secondary Education.
  • Work Experience: At least 6 years of relevant administrative or clerical work experience is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to the work of the organization. Experience in related functional areas such as Information, Media & Public Relations Support, Protective & Security Services, Executive, Secretarial & Office Support is an asset.
  • Skills: Real Time-Monitoring, Data Analysis, Data Visualization, 24/7 Shift, Crisis Communication, Client Orientation.
  • Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

Desirables:

  • Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
  • Other areas of education in Administration, Clerical Studies, Information Management, Media Studies, Public Relations, Protective Services, Security Services, Office Support are an asset.
  • Previous experience in Crisis Coordination, Incident Management, and Threat Monitoring is an asset.
  • Foundational proficiency in Google Earth Pro, Power BI, and Esri ArcGIS is a strong asset.
  • Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts. 

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact
(4) Innovates and embraces change
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
(6) Thinks and acts strategically
(7) Works collaboratively with others

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants' bank account information.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

Visa residence requirements: i.e. UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.

At the time of application, candidates must possess Italian citizenship or be nationals of EU/Schengen countries or in possession of a valid work permit.  Temporary and/or sponsored visas are not accepted. Applicants must be holders of acceptable permits already at the time of application. Applicants with non-EU citizenship must attach copies of their valid Italian work permits, otherwise their application will not be considered. Please note that General Service (GS) staff are locally recruited staff and candidates are personally responsible for any travel and accommodation arrangements. This is a batch recruitment for 7 positions with estimated start dates in April 2026.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

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Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.